My Crafty Homey Side....

From this point on I shall be known as....

                 The Crafty Country Chicken Lady....

                            a/k/a   CTCraftylady

I don't know if this "chicken" thing is rubbing off on me, but I've got this outlandish need to start "nesting".

I feel like Suzie Homemaker today. Why do you ask???

We spent the entire summer building and decorating our coop and the house sat in the background waiting for me to take a few stolen minutes to dust away the cobwebs, change around a few seasonal decorations, and keep up the comfy, homey feeling. All I really wanted to do at the end of a day outdoors was take a nice warm bath and go to bed. So, our little home in our tiny piece of heaven needed some love and attention.

I woke up this morning and recalled the memory of a former co-worker. She had one of those "camera ready" houses. It was just her, hubby, 2 dogs and a couple of birds. Kids were all grown up. Her dining room table was set for 4. (2 places for guests should they drop in during the course of the day.) On the table was a piece of every item one would need throughout the day, from morning coffee to midnight snack. All impeccably laid out and ready for use. Juice and beverage glasses, coffee cup and mug. Dinner, luncheon and salad plate and bowl. Salad fork, dinner fork, dessert fork, teaspoon, tablespoon, dessert plate, soup bowl. Butter knife and steak knife. Silverware was all neatly wrapped in a season/theme related cloth napkin.

So, I went into action!

Here's my table set for dinner, which is ready and waiting to be eaten. (Baked catfish with Dorito crumb coating, mashed potato and buttered, steamed zucchini; cucumber, scallion and tomato salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing).

 

Now, my co-worker used to put the dishes in the dishwasher which was run at the end of the day. The clean dishes were then placed back on the table in their perfect little settings for use the next day.

1. I'm the dishwasher.
2. We have 6 dogs, 2 cats, 6 birds and a wood stove burning now.

Hubby said no way in hell are our dishes going to lay out on the table over night and through the next day.

Crafty Country Chicken Lady puts on her "Thinking Cap"........
While she's thinking she washes the dishes....
And today, she towel dries them rather than letting them sit in draining rack to dry.

*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Whistle while you work.... ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ ♥And cheerfully together we can tidy up the place ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥♥ ♪ ♫ ♫ ♪ So hum a merry tune ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ It won't take long when there's a song to help you set the pace ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪...!

She has a plan! She can have a "camera ready" table too!

Here's the solution!


Note to self: Make theme oriented napkins!

All we have to do is lift off the "dust covers" and our table is ready for picture taking or serving!



Here's our "Breakfast Nook" all set and ready for a breakfast of hot oatmeal with banana slices, pancakes and coffee.


After the picture was taken, I turned the plates, bowls and cups over til morning.

 

 

 

Hubby came in while I was prepping dinner and decided that he liked the "preset" breakfast and dinner table idea. He said that it was "comforting" to see the table set as that is sure evidence that I am planning on cooking a meal worth sitting down for. I guess he's tired of the sandwiches wrapped in waxed paper that I served him most days this summer because all my time was being spent outdoors with paint brush and hammer, instead of indoors with a sauce pan and roaster.

 

 

I guess that's all for now. I'm loving this "new me".  Oh! I forgot to mention that I ordered myself service for 4.

 

 







I've been watching this set for a few weeks now. Today was the last day I could purchase it with an additional 20% discount and reduced shipping. Taking into consideration that the pattern is discontinued, I opted to bite the bullet and buy it. Looks like pbj's until payday.

Another afterthought. I have hutches filled with "special dishes and glasses" that I've only used on "special occasions". Today I decided that every day is special and I should enjoy my treasures while I am able to. They brighten my table and brighten my spirit. Even hubby enjoyed the "restaurant affect". He's always said that his favorite restaurant is "Joanie's Kitchen".


So.... what have you done to brighten your home or your spirits before the doldrums of winter set in? Leave me a note in comments! I'd love to hear!

Have a wonderful, enchanting day!
                              Huggs,
                                            Joanie